Harry Kane is struggling at Euro 2024; should England's captain be benched?

DORTMUND, Germany – Harry Kane believes the tough times suffered by himself and the England team during Euro 2024 has galvanized the squad ahead of its semifinal with the Netherlands on Wednesday.

Kane, England's record international goalscorer and proud captain, has been the topic of widespread debate following the team's quarterfinal victory over Switzerland, with some sections of the media suggesting he should be replaced after struggling for form throughout the tournament.

Never before in Kane's England career has there been such doubts raised about his starting place, but as the group has continued to lack fluidity on the field and with him touching the ball just 27 times in the quarterfinal, a multitude of tactical alternatives have gained public momentum.

However, the theories of what England might do without Kane have gained no traction within the camp, as several players and head coach Gareth Southgate spoke in glowing terms of his positive attributes, even when things are not clicking like normal.

"Anyone who is facing England would like to see Harry Kane not playing," teammate Trent Alexander-Arnold told reporters. "You just know he is a threat. Anything in and around the box, you need to be on red alert. 

"He can finish it from every angle. I always say he is the best finisher I've seen or played with. He can drop down and build play up and his hold-up play is incredible too."

Kane has scored twice at Euro 2024, clipping the ball home from close range against Denmark in the group stage and scoring the winning header against Slovakia following Jude Bellingham's stunning overhead kick to equalize.

But he has not operated with his usual sense of permanent danger, perhaps still suffering from the effects of a